Pre-Departure Workshop #4: Meet the founder
Wednesday February 19, 2025
Updates and To-DOs:
Travel Insurance Requirement: Student individual travel insurance is a requirement for all participants. Follow the link below to learn more about booking your travel insurance.
Review:
Next Week: Pre-Departure Workshop #5
Student-Led, Details to Follow
Summary
Dr. Devin Walker presented on the history and impact of global programs, highlighting their success in increasing Black student participation and the negative effects of SB17. The meeting also included self-reflection activities on cultural biases and discussions on the importance of respectful cultural engagement and the impact of global travel, especially for Black students.
Details
History of Global Programs: Dr. Devin Walker recounted the history of global programs at their former institution, starting in 2013 with a trip to China and expanding to include South Africa, Costa Rica, and the UAE. He emphasized the programs' success in increasing the participation of Black students in study abroad, exceeding the national average significantly. The programs focused on including student input in the program development, ensuring the students were build around engagement with black student interests.
Impact of SB17: Dr. Devin Walker discussed the negative impact of SB17, a bill banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, on the institution and its global programs. He described the loss of personnel and the disruption to established cultural initiatives on campus, and described how the full impact of the resulting loss was still hitting him.
Maintaining the Tradition: Despite the setbacks, a significant number of students still expressed interest in the global programs, demonstrating the cultural impact of the initiative on campus. Dr. Devin Walker highlighted the efforts to maintain these programs despite the loss of institutional support, employing direct marketing to students.
Activity on Biases and Assumptions: The meeting included activities aimed at fostering self-reflection on biases and assumptions about other cultures. Participants discussed biases and assumptions they held and where they originated from, acknowledging the influence of media, family, and education. A discussion regarding the importance of acknowledging and addressing these biases during international travel followed.
Cultural Exchange and Traditions: Participants shared personal experiences with different cultures' traditions and rituals. Keddy-Hector shared a story of attending a Hawaiian baby's first birthday party, which highlighted the cultural significance of the celebration. The importance of engaging with and respecting cultural traditions during international travel was emphasized.
Impact of Global Travel: The meeting concluded with a discussion on the personal and broader impact of global travel, particularly for Black students. Participants reflected on the rarity of Black students participating in study abroad programs and discussed their hopes for the legacy of their own global experiences. Keddy-Hector highlighted the importance of global leadership roles for Black individuals and the potential for leveraging privilege and racial identity on a global scale.
